Oceanfront Campground Sells to Developer

A developer has purchased the 56.4-acre Barefoot Camping Resort in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., for $56.4 million and plans to build an oceanfront tower and multi-family condominiums.
According to the Myrtle Beach Sun News, the sale of the campground was completed Dec. 29 to Scalise Development. The company said it will release complete plans in the coming weeks.
Skyrocketing land prices have enticed campground, golf course and park owners to sell to developers along the Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach, according to the newspaper.
Seven golf courses closed for redevelopment in 2005, and three parks, including the Barefoot campground, are now planned for redevelopment.
Scalise has submitted an application for rezoning the property to a planned unit development, according to Greg Lipscomb, principal planner with North Myrtle Beach.
The Lewis family, which owned the campground, believes that Scalise’s plans will benefit the land and the area, said Tom Rice, the family’s attorney.
The family announced the land was for sale in April, forcing 400 permanent residents who leased lots to move.
Residents filed a class action suit, contending that the 30-day lease termination clauses weren’t enforceable and the campground management company had told them the land would remain a campground for 25 years. They settled for $5.65 million.
Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, said campgrounds would continue to be an important part of Grand Strand tourism because of the quality of remaining campgrounds.
But tourism growth has stayed relatively flat, while the development of condominiums has taken off.
“We’re adding rooms faster than we’re filling it. That trend is providing a unique opportunity for the Grand Strand tourism industry,” Dean said.